Can you test your website on another server without changing the DNS (domain name servers)?
Can you test your website by creating a fake DNS IP?

Recently a client asked if I could move his website to my servers to test if all the files (databases, scripts, contact forms) would function correctly before changing the DNS for his domain.

Explanation of hosts file

According to Wikipedia “The hosts file is a computer file used in an operating system to map hostnames to IP addresses….the hosts file is a plain-text file and is traditionally named hosts.”

How to find the hosts file on your computer

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Website owners make a lot of mistakes when choosing a web hosting company. It can be very frustrating if your website is not always online, is slow loading and you don’t receive fast, efficient and knowledgeable technical support. Before choosing a host read through these common mistakes to avoid any future pitfalls.

1. Unlimited space and bandwidth

Web hosting companies often promote this benefit because many websites only need a small amount of space and bandwidth whereas only a few require a large amount. A problem arises when you suddenly need to increase the disk space and bandwidth for your website as it may overload the server. This will cause your website to go off-line as there are too many sites stacked up on the server. You also may be asked to pay additional fees. Avoid Web hosting companies that offer unlimited space and bandwidth.

2. Slow or inefficient technical support

There many technical aspects to hosting a website. Most website owners are not familiar with all the technical knowledge required to run a hosting company. Often you need help setting up your account, installing scripts, databases, creating e-mail accounts, etc. Before selecting a web host check the response times by sending an e-mail or calling them by phone. If they don’t respond immediately or within 24 hours, search for a more reliable one.

3. Server uptime

If your server goes down your website will not be available to the public. Ask your hosting company what is the uptime of their servers. The server should be online at least 99% of the time. 1% downtime is to allow for server upgrades which are done periodically.

4. Slow servers

Search engines now include website loading times as one of the factors for ranking websites. If your website loads slowly it may not receive high rankings. It should load within a few seconds otherwise visitors become impatient and immediately leave. A slow server will cause your web site to load slowly. Once you’ve uploaded your file to the server check your sites loading time before your guarantee expires.

5. No guarantee offered

A reliable web hosting company will offer at least a 30 day or more money back guarantee. This allows you to test the reliability of the company for 30 days. If you don’t receive what was promised when you signed up, consider moving to another web host.

6. Web host domain name

Check the name servers match the domain name of your Web host. The nameservers are where your domain name points to the server of your Web host. A good Web hosting company will own the domain name that matches the name servers. If they don’t match it may mean they are simply an affiliate company and may have limited knowledge about web hosting.

7. Easy to contact

Your web hosting company contact information should be easy to access. Many companies don’t offer phone support because they get overwhelmed by their clients asking the same questions. Instead they’ll include a frequently asked questions section on their website and offer technical support by e-mail. Make sure you read all the information on their website before signing up for a hosting plan.

If you avoid these top 7 web hosting mistakes when selecting a company to host your website files you’ll have less problems and want to stay with the same company for the lifetime of your website.

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How to Choose a Hosting Company That’s Reliable
What are the Steps to Host a Website
What is Hosting Space | How Much Do I Need | How To Choose a Host
What is bandwidth, Why is it important, How much do I need?

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Herman Drost is the Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) owner and author of http://www.DrostDesigns.com.